Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is admitting a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation following a spontaneous rupture of membranes. The nurse performs a vaginal examination and palpates the umbilical cord. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Request that the provider insert an intrauterine pressure catheter.
Requesting that the provider insert an intrauterine pressure catheter is not the immediate action the nurse should take when the umbilical cord is palpated during a vaginal examination. The priority is to relieve pressure on the cord and improve fetal oxygenation.
B. Exert continuous upward pressure on the presenting part.
Exerting continuous upward pressure on the presenting part is the correct action when the nurse palpates the umbilical cord during a vaginal examination. This maneuver, called "vaginal elevation,”. helps lift the presenting part off the umbilical cord, reducing the risk of cord compression and fetal distress until the provider can take further action.
C. Initiate oxytocin via continuous IV infusion.
Initiating oxytocin via continuous IV infusion is not appropriate when the umbilical cord is palpated during a vaginal examination. Oxytocin can cause uterine contractions, potentially further compromising the cord and fetus.
D. Place the client in the left-lateral position.
Placing the client in the left-lateral position is not the best immediate action for cord palpation. While left-lateral position is useful for relieving pressure on the vena cava in cases of supine hypotensive syndrome, the priority here is to relieve cord compression, and upward pressure on the presenting part is more effective.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Maternal Newborn 2019 NGN Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Requesting that the provider insert an intrauterine pressure catheter is not the immediate action the nurse should take when the umbilical cord is palpated during a vaginal examination. The priority is to relieve pressure on the cord and improve fetal oxygenation.
Choice B rationale:
Exerting continuous upward pressure on the presenting part is the correct action when the nurse palpates the umbilical cord during a vaginal examination. This manoeuvre is called "vaginal elevation,”. helps lift the presenting part off the umbilical cord, reducing the risk of cord compression and fetal distress until the provider can take further action.
Choice C rationale:
Initiating oxytocin via continuous IV infusion is not appropriate when the umbilical cord is palpated during a vaginal examination. Oxytocin can cause uterine contractions, potentially further compromising the cord and fetus.
Choice D rationale:
Placing the client in the left-lateral position is not the best immediate action for cord palpation. While the left-lateral position is useful for relieving pressure on the vena cava in cases of supine hypotensive syndrome, the priority here is to relieve cord compression, and upward pressure on the presenting part is more effective.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reviewing the medical record for a client who is receiving treatment for gestational diabetes mellitus. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer?
A. Levothyroxine.
Levothyroxine is not a medication used to treat gestational diabetes mellitus. Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism, which is a different medical condition.
B. Nifedipine.
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker primarily used to manage hypertension and angina. It is not indicated for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus.
C. Chlorpromazine.
Chlorpromazine is an antipsychotic medication used to treat conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It has no role in the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus.
D. Glyburide.
Glyburide is the correct medication to expect for administering to a client with gestational diabetes mellitus. Glyburide is an oral antidiabetic agent that helps lower blood glucose levels by increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas. It is often used when dietary and lifestyle modifications are not sufficient in managing gestational diabetes. However, it is essential to follow healthcare provider guidelines and closely monitor the client's blood glucose levels while on this medication. In some cases, insulin may be required if glyburide alone is inadequate in controlling blood sugar levels.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Levothyroxine is not a medication used to treat gestational diabetes mellitus. Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism, which is a different medical condition.
Choice B rationale:
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker primarily used to manage hypertension and angina. It is not indicated for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus.
Choice C rationale:
Chlorpromazine is an antipsychotic medication used to treat conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It has no role in the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus.
Choice D rationale:
Glyburide is the correct medication to expect for administering to a client with gestational diabetes mellitus. Glyburide is an oral antidiabetic agent that helps lower blood glucose levels by increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas. It is often used when dietary and lifestyle modifications are not sufficient in managing gestational diabetes. However, it is essential to follow healthcare provider guidelines and closely monitor the client's blood glucose levels while on this medication. In some cases, insulin may be required if glyburide alone is inadequate in controlling blood sugar levels.
Exhibit 1. Exhibit 2. Exhibit 3. Nurses' notes:. Decreased activity level over the last 12 hr. Abdominal distention. Three bloody stools over the last 4 hr. Superficial rash on the abdominal wall. Light palpation of the abdomen leads to fist clenching, thrashing, and crying. A nurse is caring for a 2-day-old newborn who was born at 35 weeks of gestation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Measure the abdominal circumference at the level of the newborn's umbilicus every 12 hr.
The nurse should not measure the abdominal circumference at the level of the newborn's umbilicus every 12 hr because this action does not address the specific problem presented in the scenario, which is abdominal distention and bloody stools. Measuring abdominal circumference is typically done to assess for growth and may not provide valuable information in this situation.
B. Insert an orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction.
Inserting an orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction is the appropriate action for a newborn with abdominal distention and bloody stools. This intervention can help decompress the gastrointestinal tract, reducing abdominal distention, and possibly preventing further complications.
C. Provide the newborn with an iron-rich formula containing vitamin B12 every 2 hr.
Providing the newborn with an iron-rich formula containing vitamin B12 every 2 hr is not indicated based on the information provided in the scenario. The newborn's symptoms are suggestive of gastrointestinal issues, and this intervention may not address the underlying cause.
D. Administer nitric oxide inhalation therapy to the newborn.
Administering nitric oxide inhalation therapy to the newborn is not appropriate in this context. Nitric oxide inhalation therapy is typically used for conditions like persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and there is no indication for its use in this case.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should not measure the abdominal circumference at the level of the newborn's umbilicus every 12 hr because this action does not address the specific problem presented in the scenario, which is abdominal distention and bloody stools. Measuring abdominal circumference is typically done to assess for growth and may not provide valuable information in this situation.
Choice B rationale:
Inserting an orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction is the appropriate action for a newborn with abdominal distension and bloody stools. This intervention can help decompress the gastrointestinal tract, reducing abdominal distention, and possibly preventing further complications.
Choice C rationale:
Providing the newborn with an iron-rich formula containing vitamin B12 every 2 hr is not indicated based on the information provided in the scenario. The newborn's symptoms are suggestive of gastrointestinal issues, and this intervention may not address the underlying cause.
Choice D rationale:
Administering nitric oxide inhalation therapy to the newborn is not appropriate in this context. Nitric oxide inhalation therapy is typically used for conditions like persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn, and there is no indication for its use in this case.
A nurse is caring for a 2-day-old newborn who was born at 35 weeks of gestation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Measure the abdominal circumference at the level of the newborn's umbilicus every 12 hr.
Measuring the abdominal circumference at the level of the newborn's umbilicus every 12 hr is a critical action in this scenario. The newborn has necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious gastrointestinal condition, and measuring abdominal circumference can help monitor for changes in abdominal distention, which is a sign of NEC progression.
B. Insert an orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction.
Inserting an orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction may not be the most appropriate action for a newborn with NEC. While decompression tubes can be used in some cases of NEC, their insertion should be guided by specific clinical indications, and not all cases require them.
C. Provide the newborn with an iron-rich formula containing vitamin B12 every 2 hr.
Providing the newborn with an iron-rich formula containing vitamin B12 every 2 hr is not indicated for NEC. NEC requires specialized medical management and treatment, which may include bowel rest and other interventions, but providing iron-rich formula is not one of them.
D. Administer nitric oxide inhalation therapy to the newborn.
Administering nitric oxide inhalation therapy is not relevant to the management of NEC. Nitric oxide inhalation therapy is used for respiratory conditions, particularly persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and does not address the gastrointestinal issues seen in NEC.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Measuring the abdominal circumference at the level of the newborn's umbilicus every 12 hr is a critical action in this scenario. The newborn has necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious gastrointestinal condition, and measuring abdominal circumference can help monitor for changes in abdominal distention, which is a sign of NEC progression.
Choice B rationale:
Inserting an orogastric decompression tube with low wall suction may not be the most appropriate action for a newborn with NEC. While decompression tubes can be used in some cases of NEC, their insertion should be guided by specific clinical indications, and not all cases require them.
Choice C rationale:
Providing the newborn with an iron-rich formula containing vitamin B12 every 2 hr is not indicated for NEC. NEC requires specialized medical management and treatment, which may include bowel rest and other interventions, but providing iron-rich formula is not one of them.
Choice D rationale:
Administering nitric oxide inhalation therapy is not relevant to the management of NEC. Nitric oxide inhalation therapy is used for respiratory conditions, particularly persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and does not address the gastrointestinal issues seen in NEC.